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Moff by section JER 6:1

⌂ ← JER 6:1–6:30 → ║ ©

Jeremiah 6

Fly for safety, men of Benjamin,

fly from Jerusalem,

blow the trumpet in Tekoah

light a beacon on Beth-hakkherem;

for trouble is looming out of the north

ay, fell disaster.

Is it a meadow fair,

the higher slopes of Sion?

Yet shepherds grim are bringing flocks,

and pitching tents around

as though they owned the ground.

“Open the campaign,” they cry

“come on, let us attack at noon!”--

“Pity the day is declining

the shadows are lengthening!”

“Come on, let us attack by night,

and wreck her palaces!”

For these are their orders from the Lord of hosts:

“Cut down the trees of the country,

set siege-mounds up against Jerusalem!”

“Ah, the false city

harbouring only oppression!

She keeps her evils fresh,

as a cistern keeps its water.

Sounds rise from her of outrage and oppression;

I am always seeing wounds and blows.

Take warning, O Jerusalem,

or I will break with you,

or I will lay you waste

and leave you uninhabited.

Go over what is left

of Israel’s vineyard,

scan her as a gardener scan

twig after twig;

is there a man whom I can warn,

and make him listen?

No, this people’s ears are stopped,

they never heed me.

Why, the Eternal’s word is a disgust to them

and no delight!

So I am pent up with my wrath

weary of holding it in;

vent it I must, on children in the street,

on gatherings of young men;

husband and wife shall be seized together,

old folk and middle-aged.

Their houses shall be turned over to strangers,

their wives along with their lands.

For high and low alike are al

greedy for gain;

prophet and priest alik

are all deceitful,

treating the wounds of my people

slightly and lightly,

saying ‘All’s well, all’s well,

when all is not well.

Are they ashamed at their abominable deeds?

Not they! They know not how to blush.

Therefore they shall fall among the fallen,

collapsing when I punish them,” says the Eternal.

“Stand at the cross-roads,” the Eternal said,

“and look for the old path,

ask for the good road and take it,

so shall you be safe and prosper.”

But they said, “We will not take it.”

I posted sentinels for them,

I bade them listen to the trumpet-blast;

they said, “We will not listen.”

Hear then, O heavens,

bear witness against them;

hear, O earth,

for I bring evil on this people,

the outcome of their apostasy

since they would not heed my words,

and my directions they rejected.

(What care I for incense,

that you bring from Sheba,

or for perfume fetche

from lands afar?

I will not accept your offerings,

I have no pleasure in your sacrifices.)

Therefore--it is the Eternal’s word--

I lay stumbling-blocks before this people;

father and son shall both trip over them,

neighbour and friend shall perish. 22 Here is the Eternal’s word:

“A people is coming

out of the north-land

a power is stirrin

from the far ends of earth!

Bow and javelin they seize

they are cruel, pitiless;

their din is like the roaring sea

they ride on horses,

mustering like one man

to fight you, maiden Sion.”

“We have heard the news,

and our hands are limp,

panic has seized us,

pain like a woman’s in travail.”

“Then venture not into the country,

walk not on the road;

for the foe has a sword,

and terror is abroad.

Gird on sackcloth, my daughter, my people,

sprinkle yourself with ashes

mourn as for an only son

lamenting bitterly;

for suddenly the spoile

falls upon you.”

“I have made you an assayer for my folk,

to learn and to assay their life--

rebellious creatures, all of them,

slandering me up and down!

base metal, all of them,

wholly depraved!

The bellows make a blast,

the fire consumes the lead;

but vain it is to smelt them,

for the slag cannot be purged away.

‘Refuse silver’ is their name;

for the Eternal refuses to have them.”